Ice maker



M. w. NEWBERRY NOV. 2 ICE MAKER Filed may 1957 4 Sheet 1 INVENTOR Wiles w. RRY B Q I ATTORNEY- 4t Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 28, 1961 M. w. NEWBERRY ICE MAKER Filed May 22, 1957 Nov. 28, 1961 M. w. NEWBERRY 9 ICE MAKER Filed May 22, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR MEIGS W. NEWBER Y d ATTORNEY Nov. 28, 1961 M. w. NEWBERRY 3,010,292

ICE MAKER Filed May 22, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR MEIGS W. NEWBERRY ATTORN'E United States Patent 3,010,292 ICE MAKER Meigs W. Newberry, Enfield, Conm, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed May 22, 1957, Ser. No. 660,856 16 Claims. (Cl. 62-353) This invention relates to ice making apparatus and more particularly to automatic ice makers of the type embodied in domestic refrigerators for the production of small ice pieces suitable for household use.

This invention provides an improved mold structure and associated apparatus which facilitates automatic removal of the frozen ice pieces from the mold in a dry and usable condition. One of the particular advantages of this improved ice maker stems from its features which effect loosening and removal of the ice pieces from the mold without the application of heat. Since no part of the ice pieces are melted during the loosening and removing operation, the ice pieces can be conveyed directly into a refrigerated bulk storage container where they will not become stuck together but will remain in a loose, readily usable condition.

This ice maker employs a unique and novel mold comprising a plurality of flexible ice pockets formed in the shape of a portion of an arcuately segmented toroid. The pockets are open at their tops to permit them to to be filled with water, to increase the flexibility of the mold pockets, and to permit a finger to be swept into each pocket to remove ice formed therein. The unique shape of the ice pockets employed in this invention permits each pocket to be flexed by means of opposing forces applied to the side walls thereof for the purpose of breaking the pocket Wall away from the ice piece frozen therein to loosen the ice piece and facilitate its removal. The configuration of the ice pockets of this improved ice maker is such that a refrigerated member may be readily secured to the flexible pocket in good heat exchange relation therewith in a manner that will not adversely affect the flexibility of the pocket while, at the same time, permitting a sufliciently rapid heat removal rate to assure a reasonable and practical freezing time for the contents of the ice mold.

Associated with these flexible mold pockets are a number of rotatable fingers disposed above the ice mold in such a manner that one finger can be swept through each pocket to remove the loosened ice piece from the pocket.

The invention further contemplates an improved mechanical camming arrangement utilizing rotative movement of the ice removing fingers for flexing the walls of the mold pocket to sequentially relate the ice pocket spreading operation and the ice removing operation performed by the moving fingers.

This invention also provides an improved arrangement for filling individual ice pockets of a multi-pocket mold wherein it is not possible to provide fluid flow between pockets, as where the pockets are completely detached from one another.

The invention further contemplates the application of a novel hydraulic drive motor to the ice loosening and removing mechanism, which motor is also used as a metering device for measuring the quantity of water admitted to the ice mold.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, of which the attached drawings form a part, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view, partly in section, illustrating the ice maker of this invention applied to a refrigerated cabinet;

3,010,292 Patented Nov. 28, 1961 FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the ice maker, taken along the line lL-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view through the ice mold of the ice maker, and illustrating the manner in which ice is loosened and removed from the mold;

FIG. 5 is another sectional view of the ice mold taken along the line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an electrical and water circuit diagram for the ice maker shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 and illustrating portions of the ice maker in schematic perspective;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a modified ice maker constructed in accordance with this invention and applied toa refrigerated cabinet;

FIG. 8 is an electrical and water circuit diagram for the ice maker shown in FIG. 7, and wherein elements of the ice maker are illustrated in schematic perspective;

FIG. 9 is an'enlarged cross sectional view taken transversely through the ice mold portion of the modified ice maker, as illustrated by the line IXIX in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View through the ice mold and water filling container for the modified ice maker;

FIGS. 11 to 13 are enlarged sectional views through the hydraulic motor and associated apparatus of the modified ice maker, and which depict the operation of the motor; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of theice removing and filling mechanism with portions of the filling container broken away to illustrate its interior.

General arrangement The ice maker of this invention is particularly adapted water and preferably around 0 F. Disposed within this freezing compartment 24 are the ice forming and removing components of the ice maker. These components include a flexible mold identified generally by the numeral 26, rotatable ice removing means 27 disposed above the mold 26, and a water filling tube 28 positioned to discharge into the mold 26. The compartment 24 also houses a storage container 29 disposed beneath the ice mold 26 in a position to catch and store ice pieces removed from the mold.

The drive mechanism for the mold 26 and the removing means 27 is disposed outside the refrigerated compartment 24 and is preferably mounted on the back wall of the refrigerator cabinet 21. This drive mechanism is identified, generally, by the numeral 31.

Ice mold The ice mold 26 is made up of a plurality of ice pockets 32 preferably constructed of a resilient, flexible metal, such as beryllium copper. Each of these ice pockets 32 has a generally U-shaped cross section, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and is curved in arcuate fashion, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The shape of each ice pocket 32 is similar to an arcuate segment of a toroid with the inner portion of the segment removed. A toroid is commonly defined as a surface generated by the rotation of a plane closed curve about an axis lying in its plane. Pockets 32 are open inwardly of the toroid, i.e., toward the axis of generation of hydraulic drive system for the ice maker of FIGS. 1

the toroid. This pocket configuration has been deter- 7 arranged in a row and have adjacent side wall portions thereof joined together at 33, as by welding or brazing. The junctions 33 between the ice pockets 32 are shaped in a manner to establish a curved weir between pockets to enable water to overflow one pocket into the adjacent pocket. This construction permits all of the pockets 32 to be filled by conveying water to but one of the pockets. The outlet for the filling tube 28 is, however, preferably positioned above the connection between two adjacent pockets near the middle of the mold 26 topermit water flowing therefrom to divide and flow in two directions in filling the mold. i

The mold 26 is refrigerated by a serpentine extension of the, refrigerant conduit 23 which has spaced portions thereof bonded to. an extended centerline portion of the bottom surface of each mold pocket 32, as. illustrated at 35,, (See FIGS. 2 and 5.) Conduit 23 can be said who joined to each pocket 32 along a line which extends in a plane normal to the axis of generation of the toroidal surfaee of the pocket and generally midway of the side walls of the pocket. 7 The refrigerant conduit 23v is secured to this area of each ice pocket 32 because it is the area which undergoes the least amount of distortion when the pocket walls are flexed to release ice therefrom.

The interconnected row of ice pockets 32 is supported by a resilient, U-shaped mold clamp. 34 having upper regions of its arms secured,'as indicated at 36 and 37, to the outermost side walls of the end ice'pockets 32. The clamp 34 is preferably constructed insuch a manner that the upstanding arms thereof, when unstressed, are spaced apart a distance less than the length of the row of ice pockets32. Thus, when the row of pockets 32 are secured to, the clamp 34, at 36.and 37, the clamp 34 will longitudinally compress the row of pockets through the application of opposing forces directed toward each end of the 32 have been distorted to loosen the ice. pieces.

sitely directed forces to the ends of the mold 26 to stretch the mold and pull apart the side walls of each ice pocket 32. It will be noted that the side walls of the ice pockets 32 are connected only in the region adjacent their upper edges, in such a manner that, when the entire row of pockets 32 is elongated or stretched, the side walls of each pocket 32 are stretched, or opened up, a proportionate amount. This distortion of the side walls of each pocket 32 breaks the walls of the pockets free of the ice formed therein.

The refrigerant conduit 23, being secured to centerline portions, only, of the mold pockets 32, does not interfere with flexure of the ice pocket walls. The. large free loops between the attached segments of the. refrigerant conduit 23 add flexibility to the entire serpentine length of the conduit and readily permit relativermovement of those segments of the conduit which are secured to adjacent ice pockets. I

The shaft 39 also carries-for rotation therewith, a

plurality of radially disposed fingers 42, each of which is positioned to be swept into and through one of the ice pockets. .Rotative movement of the shaft 39 swings the ice removing fingers 42 down into the ice pockets 32 where these fingers. 42 engage and. sweep the loosened ice pieces from the pockets 32 (see FIG. 5). The fingers 42 are disposed on shaft 39 in lagging relationship to the rise portion of cam 43 which imparts axial movement to the shaft. The relationship is such that the fingers 42 do not contact the ice pieces in ice pockets 32 until axial movement of the shaft 39 takes place and the icev pockets The fingers 42 are further, preferably, angularly displaced from one another by a small amount to permit them to progressively engage their respective ice pieces. Thus, should any ice piece adhere to its. pocket .32 notwithstanding the distortion of the pocket side walls, the entire turning moment applied to shaft 39 is applied to the row. Thefice pockets 32, being resilient, are compressed slightly under the force of clamp 34 and, in accordance with this invention, are maintained in this condition during the period when ice is being frozen in the pockets.

- The UPPr end of the rear arm of clamp 34 is secured to-the refrigerator cabinet 21 by means of a sleeve bolt and nut fastener 38v passing through the back wall of the refrigerator cabinet. This. fastener 38 slidably receives a rotatableshaft 39 which extends above the longitudinal centerline of the row of ice. pockets 32 and has its forward end; shaped to. receive one end of a bearing pivot 41 mounted on the upper'end of the forward arm of the clamp 34.

The shaft 39 forms a part of the ice removing mechanisin and carries, at its rear end, a cam 43 adapted to cooperate with a roller 44 carried by a stationary bearing secured to a bracket 46 on the back wall of the refrigerator cabinet 21. The cam 43 is shaped in such a manner that rotation of the shaft 39 in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3; will cause axial movement of the shaft 39 in a forward direction, i.e., to the left as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. This axial movement of the shaft 39 is transmitted through the bearing pivot 41 to the forward arm of the U-shaped clamp 34 to stretch or tenacious ice piece' to free it from its pocket.

Drive motor and water filling arrangement The drive mechanism 31, mounted on the back of the cabinet 21, includes a reciprocating piston-type hydraulic.

motor 47, which functions not only as a source of motive power for loosening and removing ice from the mold 26 mold 26. The motor 47 comprises an elongated cylinder 48- which is universally pivoted at one end on a mounting pin 49 supported by a bracket 51 attached to the rear of the cabinet 21.. The cylinder 48 contains. a piston 52 having a rod 53 attached thereto and projeoting through an opening in the free end of the cylinder 48; A spring 54 is disposed within the cylinder 48 for biasing the piston 52 toward one end of the cylinder in a manner to retract the rod 53. The end of rod 53 is loosely connected to a. crank arm 56 secured to the end of drive shaft 39. Water is conveyed to the cylinder 48 by means of a length of flexible tubing 57 communicating with a three-way solenoid-operated valve 58. The valve 58 is connected by means of a pipe 59. to a source of water under pressure, such as a normal household water supply system. When enen gized, valve 58 admits .Water from supply pipe 59 into tube, 57', and into cylinder 48 to move piston 52 (to the right as viewed in FIG. 3) against the act-ion of spring 54 to move crank arm 56 (clockwise in FIG. 3) by means of rod 58. When deenergized, valve 58 permits water that is forced from the cylinder 48 by the spring-54 and piston 52 to flow through tube 57 and into conduit 28, from whence it flows into the mold 26. The piston displacement within cylinder 48 is equal to the volume of water required to fill all of the ice pockets 32 to the required level. Consequently, alq of they water required to operate the hydraulic motor 47 can, subsequently, be conveyed into the ice mold 26.

The oscillating movement of crank arm 56, as produced by the admission and emission of water to and from chamber 48, is transmitted through shaft 39 to the ice removing fingers 42. The reciprocal, axial movement of the shaft 39 employed in spreading apart the arms of the mold clamp 34 is produced by cam 43 moving over roller 44 as the crank arm 56 is oscillated.

Control Energization and deenergization of the solenoid valve 53, controlling admission and emission of water to and from the hydraulic motor 47, is effected through an electrical circuit including supply lines L and L a thermostatic switch 61, and a single-pole double-throw electricswitch 62. The switch 62 is normally self-biasing to one throw position, and electromagnetically latchable in its other throw position. The thermostatic switch 61 is adapted to close in response to the contents of the mold 26 becoming frozen, and is actuated by an expansible bellows 63, responsive to temperature-pressure changes within a control tube 64 secured to the bottom of one of the mold pockets 32.

Thermostatic switch 61 is connected in series with one pair of contacts 66 of switch 62 and the electrical windings of the solenoid valve 58. Contacts 66 are normally biased to closed position by a resilient, magnetically attractable leaf spring 67 which carries the movable contact of the contact pair 66. With thermostatic switch 61 closed, and contacts 66 closed, the solenoid valve 58 is energized from supply lines L and L The switch leaf spring 67 is positioned within the path of movement of the crank arm 56 in such a manner that a projection 68 on the crank arm 56 actuates the switch by moving the free end of leaf spring 67 downwardly to separate contacts 66. This downward movement of the leaf spring 67 closes another pair of contacts 69 which are connected to an electromagnet 71 positioned beneath =thefree end of leaf spring 67. Contacts 69 control a circuit from line L through thermostatic switch 61, the electromagnet 71 and back to line L When energized, the electromagnet 71 attracts and magnetically latches the spring leaf 67 in its downward position. The latching circuit through the electromagnet 71 is subsequently deenengized by the opening of thermostatic switch 61 in response to a rise in temperature of the mold 26, as occasioned by the admission of water to the mold 26.

Operation of embodiment shown in FIGS. Ito 6 Assume the ice mold 26 has been refrigerated to below 32 F. and ice has formed in each of the pockets 32. Thermostatic switch 61, sensing this temperature of the ice mold 26, closes and establishes a circuit from lines L and L through normally closed contacts 66, to the solenoid valve 58. Valve 58 admits water from supply conduit 59 to the hydraulic motor 47 which rotates crank arm 56 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 6. During the first 90 of rotating movement of shaft 39, the cam 43 imparts an axial movement to the shaft 39 (to the left as viewed in FIG. 6) to lengthen the mold 26, spread the walls of the ice pockets 32 and loosen the ice pieces in the pockets. Continued rotation of shaft 39 swings ice removing fingers 42 into the ice pockets 32 and the ice pieces are pushed out of the mold (see FIG. 5) and permitted to fall by gravity into the storage container 29.

As the piston rod 53 approaches its most extended position and the crank arm 56 has been rotated through an angle of approximately 135, the projection 68 on the crank arm 56 actuates switch 62 to deenergize the solenoid valve 58 and establish the latching circuit for the switch 62 which insures that the contacts 66 in the valve circuit will not reclose. Deenergization of the solenoid valve 58 permits 'water to flow from the hydraulic motor 47 into the mold 26. Release of water from the hydraulic motor 47 permits the piston return spring 54 to rotate crank arm 56 and shaft 39in a reverse direction, sweeping the ice removing fingers 42 back through, and up above, the ice pockets 32 and permitting a reverse axial movement of the shaft 39 under the action of the U-shaped mold clamp 34. The clamp 34 compresses the mold 26 longitudinally and flexes the walls of the ice pockets 32 together.

Relatively warm water entering the ice mold 26 raises the temperature of the mold and causes thermostatic switch 61 to open. As switch 61 opens, the electromagnetic latching circuit for switch 62 is deenergized and contacts 66 reclose, conditioning the solenoid valve circuit for subsequent energization upon completion of the ice freezing operation in the mold 26. The apparatus shown will automatically go through another ice removing operation after ice is formed in the mold pockets 32.

Sutiable means may be provided, if desired, for shutting down the ice maker in response to an accumulation of ice in the storage container 29. Apparatus of this character is not illustrated since it is believed to be apparent how it could be incorporated into the apparatus shown. Such a device could, for example, take the form of a line switch actuated to an open position in response to the weight of the container 29 reaching a certain predetermined value, indicating that the container 29 is full of ice pieces.

General arrangement of modified ice maker FIGS. 7 through 14 illustrate an ice maker embodying modifications of this invention. In describing this embodiment of the invention the same reference numerals employed in the preceding description of the first embodiment will be used for elements common to the two embodiments.

The modified ice maker is adapted for installation in a refrigerator cabinet 21 having a freezing unit 22 refrigerated by a refrigerant-carrying conduit 23 and enclosing a freezing compartment 24 which houses the ice freezing and ice removing portions of the ice maker. Disposed within the freezing compartment 24 is an ice mold made up of a plurality of individually mounted ice pockets 75 wherein the ice pieces are formed. The ice loosening and removing operation is performed by apparatus associated with a rotatable container 76 disposed above the ice pockets 75. These components, which are housed in the freezing chamber 24, are actuated by a rotary hydraulic motor 77 disposed outside the refrigerated compartment and carried on the back wall of the refrigerator cabinet 21.

Modified ice mold As shown most clearly in FIGS. 7 through 10, the ice mold is made up of a plurality of individual ice pockets 75, arranged in a row and supported on upstanding plates 78, the lower ends of which are mounted in good heat exchange relationship with the refrigerating unit 22. The ice pockets 75 are refrigerated by heat conduction through the plates 78 and, for this reason, the plates are preferably made from a good heat-conducting metal. Each ice pocket 75, like the ice pockets 32 of the previously described embodiment of the invention, is preferably shaped to an arcuate contour having a U-shaped cross section, and have a configuration similar to an angulariy segmented toroid .from which the inner portion has been removed. Each pocket is secured to its support plate 78 along an extended centerline portion of its bottom surface in a manner to permit the side walls of the pocket to be flexed toward and away from one another without breaking or unduly stressing the junction between the pocket and its heat exchan er plate. Instead of being connected together, each ice pocket 75 has the upper edge of its side walls spaced from the side walls of adjoining pockets to permit forces to be applied to the ice pockets individually.

Modified ice removing mechanism The rotatable container 76 is longitudinally disposed above the center line of the row of ice pockets 75 and carries thereon projections providing two pairs of carn surfaces, indicated respectively at 81 and 82, for each mold pocket 75. Cam surfaces 81 are adaptedto engage the outer surfaces of the side walls of the ice pockets 75 to flex these walls and compress the pockets. This compressed condition of the ice pockets 75 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, which show the position --of the rotatable container 76 and the cam surface pairs 81 and 82 during periods when iceis being formed in the ice pockets 75. Cam surfaces 82 are adapted to engage the inner surfaces of the side walls of the ice pockets 75, to spread the walls of the ice pockets to loosen ice formed in the pockets. The cam surfaces 81 and 82 are angularly displaced from one another on the surface on the rotatable container 76 in such a manner that one pair of cam surfaces can be moved out of engagement with their ice pocket 75 and the other pair of cam surfaces brought into engagementwith-the side walls of that pocket by a rotative movement of the container 76 through an angle of approximately 180.

The rotatalble container 76 has extending radially f therefrom a plurality of ice removing fingers 80 which are arranged in a longitudinal row or line passing through thernold spreading cam surfaces 82. The fingers 80 are so positioned on the container 76 that one finger 80 is swept into and through each ice pocket 75 when the container 76 is rotated. The position of. the row of fingers 80 is angularly disposed relative the pocket spreading cam surfaces 82 in a lagging relationship which permits the cam surfaces 82 to engage and spread the walls of the ice pocket 75 to loosen ice pieces therein 'priorfto the'tmgers '80 being brought into engagement with the ice pieces for the purpose of sweeping the ice pieces from the mold pockets. The cam surfaces 82 are so constructed as to spread the walls of the ice pockets 75 in approximately 90 of rotative movement of the container '76, and approximately another 90 of rotative movement is required of the container 76 to sweep the fingers 80 through the ice pockets to remove the loosened ice from the pockets, ,Cam'surfaces 82 are sufliciently long'to keep the ice pocket walls spread while. the fingers 80 are being swept through the pockets.

The cylindrical container 76 is also employed as a distributor for the water filling system, to insure uniform filling of the individual ice pockets 75. To adapt the container 76 for performance of this function, it is equipped with a plurality of spaced pouring spouts 83, in such a manner that one spout 83 is above each ice pocket 75. These spouts 83 are located circumferentially in the container 76 along a longitudinal line passing through. the ice pocket compressing cam surfaces 81, in such a manner that the spouts 83. are pointing downwardly into the ice pockets 75 when the container 76 has rotated to a position inwhich the cam surfaces 81 are in engagement with the side walls of the ice pockets 75. The hollow interior of the. cylindrical container 76 is also. equipped with a plurality of longitudinally spaced dams or parti tions 84, located midway between each spout 83. The dams 84 are preferably shaped like a segment of a disc to extend. approximately onequarter of the diametrical distance across the interior of the container 76. The clams 84 are angularly positioned within the container 76 pockets 75 by the hydraulic motor 77, connected to the container by a hollow shaft 86. The fluid motor 77 is a rotary vane type, expansible chamber power unit that'is actuated :by water fed to the ice maker and subsequently frozen into ice in the ice pockets 75. Thernotor 77 comprises a hollow casing 87 rotatably supported on a stationary stub shaft 88 which carries a stationary vane 89 radially disposed within casing 87. The shaft 88 is, in turn, supported on the'back of the refrigerator cabinet 21 by a rigid pan 90 to which it is. secured. The motor casing 87 has another vane 91 disposed within its interior and movable therewith which vane cooperates with stationary vane 89 to' form relatively movable walls of an expansible-contractible water chamber 92. The motor casing 87 is biased to the position shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 (its rest, or start, position) in which the movable .vane 91 is disposedcloselyadjacent the stationary vane 89-and the chamber 92 has comparatively small internal volume, by means of. a torsion spring 93 having oneend engaging the casing 87 and its other end fixed to the stationary stub shaft '88. Water, under pressure, is admitted to chamber 92 from a source of supply indicated by conduit 94 through a passage 96 extending through stub shaft 88 and communicating with chamber 92. Water entering the chamber 92 applies a force to the movable vane 91 connected to the motor casing 87 and rotates the casing and the vane 91 (clockwise as viewed in FIGS. ll and 12) enlarging the size of chamber 92. Air entrapped between the opposite surfaces of the stationary vane 89 and the movable vane 91 escapes from the casing 87 through a vent opening 97 provided in the casing.

Motor casing 87 additionally carries a slide valve 98 which controls the discharge of water from the chamber 92, and is disposed in a passage 99 communicating with the hollow shaft 86 mechanically connecting the motor 77 to the container 76. During the'period water is being admitted to the chamber 92, the slide valve 98- occupies the position illustrated in FIG. 11, in which it closes, or blocks off, the water discharge passage 99. After suflicient water has been admitted to the chamber 92 to rotate the motor casing 87 through its full range of'movement, slide valve 98 is brought into contact with a fixed stop 101 positioned adjacent the casing 87, as illustrated in FIG. 12. Engagement of the slide valve 98 with the stop 181 causes the slide valve to move. relative the casing 87 and open discharge passage 99. The casing 87 is rotated in a reverse direction by torsion spring 93. (counterclockwise for the FIGS. 11 and 12. illustrations) and water is forced from chamber 92, through discharge passage 99 and hollow shaft 86', into the. rotatable'container 76 positioned above the ice pockets 75. When the casing 87 is returned to its rest, or start, position shown in FIG. 11, slide valve 98 is brought into engage ment with another fixed stop 102 which causes the'slide valve 98 to. assume its FIG. 11 position, closing the water discharge passage 99. With the closure of slide. valve 98, the exit from chamberr92 is disestablished and the hydraulic motor 77 is conditioned for a subsequent powered in the vicinity of the spouts 83, and are axially spaced from one another in a manner-to divide the lower portion of the interior of the container 76 into a number of equal volume, open-top chambers when the container 76 is rotated to the position in which the spouts 83 are pointing downwardly into the ice cups 75.

Modified drive motor and water filling arrangement The container 76 is oscillated to cause the elements 77 is capable of measuring, or metering, water supplied to the ice pockets 75, and all of the water required to actuate motor 77 is subsequently employed in filling the ice pockets 75.

The hollow drive shaft 86, which'functions as apart of the water passage between the hydraulic motor 77 and the rotatable container 76, is preferably equipped with a blocking means to prevent circulation of refrigerated air into contact with the moving parts and fluid passages in the hydraulic motor 77 and to thereby reduce the likelihood of the motor 77 being rendered inoperative as a result of water freezing therein. This blocking means is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 13 and comprises an annular ring 106 of soft rubber, or other easily flexed material, disposed interiorly of the hollow shaft 86 in a position to surround and form a seal with a rod-like extension 107 of the stationary stub shaft 88 that supports the motor 77. The ring 106 resiliently engages extension 107 to block off the interior of shaft 86 but is readily expanded and separated from the extension 107 under the pressure of water being forced from the hydraulic motor 77, to permit this water to flow into the rotatable container 76 (see FIG. 13).

Superimposed upon the sectional views of the hydraulic motor 77 in FIGS. 11 and 12 are dot and dash outlines of the rotatable container 76, the elements associated therewith, and the ice pockets 75. These figures illustrate the relationship between movements of the motor 77 and movements of the rotatable container 76. It will be noted that, when the hydraulic motor 77 is in its rest position, shown in FIG. 11, the rotatable container 76 is disposed in a position in which the spouts 83 thereof are directed downwardly into the ice pockets 75. When the hydraulic motor 77 rotates approximately 250, to the position shown in FIG. 12, the ice removing fingers 80 on the rotatable container 76 have been swept into and through the ice pockets 75, clearing the pockets of ice pieces, and the spouts 83 on the rotatable container 76 have been moved around to a position in which they are elevated above the bottom of the container 76 and are directed upwardly. The container 76 is, therefore, in a position to receive water without it pouring out of spouts 83 when discharge of water from the hydraulic motor 77 commences (FIG. 12). Return rotative movement of the hydraulic motor 77 swings the spouts 83 up over the top of container 76, and then downwardly, toward the ice pockets 75 as water continues to flow into the interior of the rotatable container 76 from the hydraulic motor 77. The spouts 83 are eventually lowered to a position below the level of water in the container 76 and water flows out of the spouts 83 into the ice pockets 75. The dams 84 within container 76 are moved to a lowered position along with the spouts 83 and function to divide the container 76 into a plurality of open top chambers, one for each spout 83. The dams 84 insure the delivery of equal quantities of water to each ice pocket 75, and prevent more than the desired quantity of water from flowing through any one spout 83, as would be threatened by one or more of the spouts 83 becoming plugged.

Control for modified ice maker Initiation of operation of the hydraulic motor 77 to remove ice pieces from the ice pockets 75 is under the control of a circuit substantially the same as that described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention. Admission of water to the hydraulic motor 77 through the conduit 94 is effected by energization of a solenoid operated check valve 104 which is electrically energized through a circuit including a thermostatic switch 61 and a double throw, single pole electrically latchable switch 62. The thermostatic switch 61 is actuated by its bellows 63 in response to temperature changes in one of the mold pockets 75, as sensed by a control bulb 64 secured to the outer surface of one of the pockets 75. The circuit to the solenoid valve 104 includes a pair of contacts 66 normally held closed by a gravity biased switch lever 105 forming a part of switch 62. The switch 62 is positioned adjacent the hydraulic motor 77 in a position to have its contact carrying lever 105 engaged by a projection 108 on the motor casing 87 when the motor 77 has been rotated through its full range of movement to the position shown in FIG. 12. When moved upwardly, the switch lever 105 separates contacts 66, deenergizing the solenoid valve 104 to stop the flow of water into the hydraulic motor 77. The direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor 77 is then reversed as slide valve 98 encounters stop 101, and the motor 77 returns, under the action of spring 93, filling the ice pockets 75 with water, and comes to rest in its FIG. 11 position with slide valve 98 being closed by stop 102. Upward movement of the switch lever 105 has closed contacts 69, establishing a latching circuit through the electromagnet 71 and thermostatic switch 61 to hold the switch lever 105 in a position in which the circuit to the solenoid valve 104 is open until the thermostatic switch 61 opens, indicating that the mold has filled with water. With the deenergization of the electromagnet 71, switch lever 105 drops down under the action of gravity, closing contacts 66 and conditioning the circuit to solenoid valve 104 for subsequent energization upon the contents of the ice pockets 75 becoming frozen.

Operation of modifying ice maker of FIGS. 7 through 14 Assume the ice pockets 75 have been refrigerated sufiiciently to freeze all of the water therein. Thermostatic switch 61, upon sensing a I predetermined temperature below 32 F., energizes solenoid valve 104 to admit water to the hydraulic motor 77 to elfect rotation of the motor through an angle of approximately 250. This movement of the motor 77 is transmitted to the rotatable container 76, the compressing cam surfaces 81 are moved out of contact with the side walls of the ice pockets 75, the spreading cam surfaces 82 are brought into engagement with the side walls of the ice pockets 75 to spread the walls and loosen ice therein, and the fingers are swept through the ice pockets 75, clearing the ice from the pockets and permitting it to fall, by gravity, into a storage container 29 also positioned within the freezing unit 22.

As the hydraulic motor 77 nears the end of its hydraulic power movement, valve 98 is actuated to permit water to flow from the hydraulic motor into the rotatable container 76. As the motor 77 is returned to its rest position by spring 93, the pouring spouts of the rotatable container 76 are turned downwardly toward the ice pockets 75 and the water in the container 76 is discharged into the ice pockets. As the drive motor 77 comes to rest, the compressing cam surfaces 81 on rotatable container 76 engage and compress the side walls of the ice pockets 75 and maintain the ice pockets in this condition while ice is being formed in the pockets. Another ice removing operation is performed automatically upon the contents of the ice pockets 75 becoming frozen.

From the foregoing it will be apparent this invention provides unique and novel mold means for the formation of ice pieces in an automatic ice maker, and further provides novel means cooperating with the mold for loosening and removing ice pieces therefrom.

While the invention is shown in several forms it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In an ice maker, an ice mold comprising a plurality of ice pockets, a plurality of fingers, each of which is movable into one of said pockets to remove ice therefrom, means disposed above said mold for moving said fingers, means for distorting said mold to loosen ice frozen in said pockets, and a motor for driving said finger moving means and said mold distorting means.

2. In an ice maker, an ice mold including an ice pocket, a rotatable member disposed above said pocket and movable into said pocket for engaging and removing an ice piece from said pocket, means for spreading the walls of said pocket to loosen ice in said pocket, and means including a motor for driving said member and said spreading means.

loosen ice in said pocket, and a finger mounted for rotation with said member and movable into said pocket for engaging and removing ice from said pocket.

4. In an ice maker, an ice mold including an ice pocket, a rotatable shaft disposed above said pocket, cam means carried by said shaft and adapted to distort the walls of said ice pocket to loosen ice therein, a member carried by said shaft for rotation therewith, said member being movable into said ice pocket to engage and remove ice from said pocket, said cam means and said member being angularly displaced from one another, whereby, upon rotation of said shaft, said cam means becomes effective before said member engages the ice in said pocket, and means for driving said shaft.

5. In an ice maker, an ice mold including a plurality of serially connected ice pockets, means movably supporting one end of said mold, a rotatable shaft longitudinally disposed above said mold, cam means associated with said shaft and operative upon rotation of said shaft to move said one end of the mold to distort the walls of said ice pockets and loosen ice in said pockets, means carried by said shaft for rotation therewith, said last named means including members movable into the ice pockets of said mold for engaging and removing ice from said pockets, and means for rotating said shaft.

6. In an ice maker, an ice mold including an ice pocket having upstanding side walls, a rotatable member disposed above said mold for flexing the pocket to loosen ice formed in the pocket, said rotatable member having a pair of surfaces disposed in facing relationship and adapted to engage oppositely disposed areas of said pocket side walls for flexing said side walls toward one another, and another pair of oppositely disposed surfaces adapted to engage facing areas of said pocket side walls forflexing said walls outwardly to loosen ice in the pocket, and means for rotating said member from a position in which said first named pair of surfaces engage said ice pocket walls to a position in which said other pair of surfaces engage said ice pocket side walls.

7, Mold filling means for an ice maker having an ice mold comprising a plurality of ice pockets disposed in a row, comprising an elongated container horizontally disposed above said row of pockets, means defining a pouring spout for said container above each of said mold pockets, means supporting said container for tilting movement about a substantially horizontal axis, means for admitting water to said container to fill said container to alevel below said spout means when said container is in one position, and means for tilting said container to another position to permit said water to fiow by gravity through said spout means into said mold pockets.

8. Mold filling means for an ice maker having an ice mold comprising a plurality of ice pockets disposed in a row, comprising an elongated container horizontally disposed above said row of pockets, means defining a pouring spout for said container above each of said mold pockets, means supporting said container for tilting movement about a substantially horizontal axis, means .for admitting water to said container to fill said container to a level below said spout means when said container is in one position, means for tilting said container to another position to permit said water to flow by gravity through said spout means into said mold pockets, and means disposed transversely of said container at spaced intervals therein for dividing said container into a plurality of compartments when said container is tilted to a position where water is discharged therefrom.

9. Mold filling means for an ice makerhaving an ice mold comprising a plurality of ice pockets disposed in a row, comprising an elongated, cylindrical container horizontally disposed above said row of pockets and extending 12 along said row, means supporting said container for rotation about a longitudinally-extending axis, said container having an opening therein above each of said pockets, means for admiting water to said container to fill said container to a level-below said openings when said container is in one position, and means for rotating said container to a position in which said openings are disposed at the bottom thereof whereby said water is discharged by gravity into said mold pockets.

l0. Mold filling means for an ice maker having an ice mold comprising a plurality of ice pockets disposed in a row, comprising an elongated, cylindrical container horizontally disposed above said row of pockets and extending along said row,'means supporting said container for rotation about a longitudinally extending axis, said container having an opening therein above each of said pockets, means for admitting water to said container to fill said container to a level below said opening when said container is in one position, means for rotating said container to a position in which said openings are disposed at the bottom thereof whereby said water is discharged by gravity into said mold pockets, and a plurality of transverse members disposed within said container at spaced longitudinal intervals between the openings in said container, said members extending partially across said container and being adapted to form dams therein when said container is rotated'to its water-discharging position.

11. In an ice maker, an ice mold comprising a plurality of ice pockets disposed in .a row, an elongated container longitudinally disposed above said row of ice pockets, means supporting said container for rotation to a plurality of positions about a substantially horizontal, longitudinal axis, a plurality of fingers carried by said container for rotation therewith, each of said fingers being adapted to be moved into one of said ice pockets and effect removal of ice from its pocket when said container is rotated from a first position to a second position, means defining a pouring spout in said container above each of said ice pockets, the constructionand arrangement'being' such that said spouts are etfective'to discharge the contents of said container into said ice pockets when said container is rotated to a third position, and means for filling said container with water to 'a level below said spout means when said container is in a position other than said third position.

12. In an ice maker, an ice mold including an ice pocket, said pocket being constructed of flexible material formed to the shape of an arcuately segmented toroid and being open toward the axis of generation of the toroid, and means for-applying opposing forces, respectively, to the side walls of said ice pocket to loosenice formed therein. T

13. In an ice maker, an ice mold including an ice pocket, said pocket being constructed of flexible material formed to the shape of an arcuately segmented toroid and being open toward theaxis of generation of the toroid, and means for cooling said mold to freeze ice therein, said means comprising a refrigerated member engaging said pocket along a line extending in a plane normal to the axis of generation of the toroidpand generally midway of the sides of the pocket.

14. In an ice maker, an ice mold comprising a plurality of ice pockets disposed in a row, an elongated container horizontally disposed above said row of pockets, means defining a pouring spout for said container above each of said mold pockets, means supporting said container for tilting movement about a substantially horizontal axis, means for admitting water to said container to fill said container to a level below said spout means when said container is in one position, means for tilting said container to another position to permit said water to flow by gravity through said spout means into said mold pocket and means carried by said container and movable therewith for applying opposing forces to the walls of said ice pockets to loosen ice formed in the ice pockets.

15. In an ice maker, an ice mold comprising a plurality of ice pockets disposed in a row, an elongated container horizontally disposed above said row of pockets, means defining a pouring spout for said container above each of said mold pockets, means supporting said container for tilting movement about a substantially horizontal axis, means for admitting to said container the quantity of water necessary to fill all of said pockets, said quantity of water filling said container to a level below said spout means when said container is in one position, means for tiling said container to another position to permit said water to flow by gravity through said spout and means carried by said container for rotation therewith, said last-named means including members movable into said ice pockets for engaging and removing ice from said pockets.

16. In an ice maker, an elongated ice mold comprising a longitudinal series of portions constructed of flexible material, said portions each having a surface thereof defining an open pocket, said surfaces being generated by the rotation of respective plane closed curves about an axis lying in the planes of these curves and extending longitudinally of said mold, said pockets being open toward the axis of generation of said surface, the construction and arrangement being such that blocks of ice formed in the pockets of said mold can be displaced therefrom by movement relative to said mold in curved paths that are each at a constant radius from said axis in a plane normal thereto.

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